Can't Food Stamp Abuse

Be Kept Under Control?

August 27, 1994

As a cashier in a major grocery store, I witness the abuse of the food stamp dollar several times a day. I know that in many cases foods stamps are necessary and are used properly, but it seems there are some that think the government is not doing enough for them by giving them food stamps free, so they have devised methods to cheat it.

Here are some examples of what they have come up with: They will buy an item that costs very little (17 cents) and pay for it with one food stamp getting 83 cents back in change, or an item that costs just over a dollar ($1.02) and tender two food stamps, getting 98 cents back in change.

Several trips through the check-out rewards them with many dollars in change with which I have seen them buy beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets or using it for cab fare. A solution to this could be to print on the food stamp "No more than 20 cents in change given back from this food stamp."Or plastic change could be given instead.

I do not understand how people who are not productive in life by choice and do not contribute to society can enjoy such luxuries as lobster, shrimp, soda and candy. One woman came through my check-out and bought bags of M&Ms priced at three for $1, paid for them with food stamps and was caught selling them in front of our store to our customers for $1 a bag, having her child tell people it was a sale for his school.

Can't some restrictions be put on what items can be bought, and a time limit for how long young, able-bodies individuals like the ones I have seen be eligible?

I do not want to offend those who really are in need of the assistance that the food stamp program offers, but I know a lot of people like myself heartily resent this abuse of a system that is so good to the wrong people, while the rest of us work every day and give them a free ride.